Policies

Hendrix College Mission Statements

Hendrix College, Academic Affairs - Faculty & Administration
Policy # 01110
Effective: Monday, October 15, 2018
Purpose

This section contains the mission statements of the College including the Hendrix College Motto, the Statement of Purpose, the Vision for Student Learning, the Statement on Diversity, the Statement on Church Relatedness, and the Non-discrimination Statement.

Additional Authority
Scope

These statements apply to all staff, faculty and students.

Responsible Party

1. A.2. Mission Statements

This section contains the mission statements of the College including the Hendrix College Motto, the Statement of Purpose, the Vision for Student Learning, the Statement on Diversity, the Statement on Church Relatedness, and the Non-discrimination Statement.

2. The Hendrix College Motto

Hendrix Seal

"Unto the whole person"

The Hendrix College seal appeared for the first time on the cover of the 1898 catalog. The seal included the College's motto, selected by a committee headed by the Rev. George W. Hill and taken from a passage in Ephesians: "Till we all come in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ ..." (Ephesians 4:13, King James Version). Currently translated as "unto the whole person," the motto, in Ancient Greek, reflects Hendrix's dedication to both Christian principles and the traditional liberal arts ideal.

3. The Statement of Purpose

Hendrix College cultivates empathy, creativity, self-understanding, rigorous inquiry, informed deliberation, and active learning across the liberal arts, toward the development of the whole person. Through engagement that links the classroom with the world, and a commitment to diversity, inclusion, justice, and sustainable living, the Hendrix community inspires students to lead lives of accomplishment, integrity, service, and joy.

Approved by the Hendrix College faculty and Board of Trustees in spring 2015

4. Vision for Student Learning

Approved by the Hendrix Faculty in May 2016 and  by the Hendrix Board of Trustees in October 2016.

Hendrix College students develop a breadth of knowledge across the liberal arts and sciences that gives them the potential to explore the present and flexibly meet the demands of their futures. Through this breadth of study, we, the college community, encourage students to enhance their understanding by making connections among different bodies of knowledge. Our students also engage more deeply in at least one area of study, establishing facility in their chosen discipline.

Students’ diverse course of study at Hendrix guides them in discerning and understanding core principles about complex issues. Our students rigorously investigate and research these underlying causes and connections, learn to synthesize evidence from multiple sources, and design ways to answer their questions. They acquire the skills to evaluate arguments and evidence critically and develop independent, nuanced, and thoughtful analyses. Using written, oral, experiential, visual, or other appropriate methods, students communicate their findings effectively and persuasively. Our students reflect on their studies and are prepared to engage with the world based on their inquiry and deliberation.

To facilitate this link between the classroom and the world, we introduce our students to active engagement with multiple communities. They gain an understanding of the past, present, and future needs of the earth and of humanity, and of the challenges of our interdependence. From this foundation, our students consider ethical conundrums from conflicting perspectives. Through a commitment to diversity and inclusion, we work to foster an awareness of different cultures and empathy for the people who confront the diverse challenges and needs of our shared communities in order to inspire our students to lead lives of service. Our students bring their experiences in the wider community back to the classroom to enhance their course of study, building on what they have learned.

In order to meaningfully participate in multiple communities, our students must understand themselves and their relation to the world around them. To that end, the Hendrix community guides them in examining their abilities and strengths. We help them recognize how their skills can work for them and for the good of others, both now and in the future. We provide tools and opportunities to prepare our students for their prospective professional lives, and we strive to inspire them to lead lives of accomplishment as both leaders and team members. We share in the joy of their development as whole persons: independent, responsible, and attentive to their own mental and physical well-being. We nurture our students’ life-long love of learning, both about themselves and about the world, as curious, creative, and active participants in life and in their communities.  

Learning Goals Format

Vision for Student Learning Goals Rubric

5. Statement on Diversity

Approved by the Hendrix Faculty in April 2016 and by the Hendrix Board of Trustees in October 2016.

Hendrix College values a diverse learning environment enriched by the race, ethnicity, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, socioeconomic status, ability, culture, political philosophies, geographical backgrounds, and intellectual perspectives of its students, faculty, staff, and administrators.  We believe diversity makes the whole richer, and that participating in a dynamically inclusive community provides a framework for successful leadership and engaged citizenship in the 21st century.
 
Inclusion is our name for an active and constructive engagement with diversity.  Inclusion consists of developing and implementing programs and policies that 1) respect the dignity and civil rights of all persons, 2) help prevent prejudice and discrimination, 3) recruit and retain diverse students, faculty, and staff, 4) promote capacities for understanding diverse cultures, 5) cultivate capacities for generous listening, especially to those who might otherwise not be heard, 6) introduce the arts of dialogue across differences, and 7) afford opportunities for mutual transformation through multicultural cooperation, all with the aim of creating an atmosphere that is welcoming, hospitable, and true to the best of liberal arts education.

6. Statement on Church Relatedness

Approved by the Hendrix College faculty and by the Hendrix Board of Trustees in spring 2017.

Hendrix College's commitment to the cultivation of the whole person is nurtured by its relationship with the United Methodist Church. Founded by the church in 1876, the College took guidance from the Methodist value of uniting academic rigor and faith practices, a central tenet undergirding the opportunities for religious inquiry, vocational discernment, and social outreach that distinguish the institution. Throughout its history the College has valued those who hold diverse philosophical and religious perspectives. In religious and vocation programs combined with service learning, Hendrix continues to develop clergy and lay leaders for faithful service inside the church and beyond. The church relationship is supported by lay and clergy members on the Board of Trustees, the alumni community, and the larger church who encourage the value of higher education in helping students find meaningful vocations connected to who they are and how they want to serve in the world. 


7. Notice of Non-Discrimination

Hendrix College strives to maintain an environment free from discrimination and harassment, where employees treat each other with respect, dignity, and courtesy. The College adheres to the principle of equal educational and employment opportunity without regard to age, race, color, gender, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or national origin. 

Further, the College is committed to the maintenance of an atmosphere of civility and respect for all students; individuals who feel that they have been harassed may obtain redress by bringing a complaint as described below. Complaints about harassment will be responded to promptly and equitably. The right to confidentiality will be respected in both informal and formal procedures, insofar as possible. This policy explicitly prohibits retaliation against individuals for bringing complaints of harassment or discrimination. All employees receive Title IX and Campus SaVE Act trainings.. This training will be administered within the first 30 days of employment, and on an annual basis thereafter.

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

Shawn Goicoechea, Title IX Coordinator
1600 Washington Ave, Conway, AR 72032
501-450-1415
Contact by email

Julie Brown, Section 504 Coordinator
1600 Washington, Ave, Conway, AR 72032
501-505-2954
Contact by email

Revisions

Date Change
10/15/2018